Quote:
Originally Posted by Dottore
Jeff: Interesting. I was thinking more of the days (early and mid 1990's) when he was taking old Norton Commandos and upgrading them with wonderful bespoke parts, better electrics, reworked engine, and suspension and brakes etc etc., and selling these to collectors. These were the most perfect Norton Commandos ever....If I found one of those bikes today, I would be all over it like a rash...
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He actually ran out of candidates for such restoration. By the time he did, he was having so many original parts re-popped (both truly original, and the bespoke ones you mention, with many improvements) that he figured what the hell - let's make the whole thing. He was making everything by then, and was operating under the moniker of Vintage Restorations, so there was no trouble with the guys that owned the trademark. It was only when he started redesigning it (he unitized the motor, primary, and tranny) and hoping to sell it as the new "Norton" that he ran into trouble. Up until then, just restoring and providing parts, he was fine. He was definitely "on the radar" with the Brits who were just sitting on the rights, but they really didn't care as long as he was just "fixing up" the old ones. They only perked up when he started making noise about a "new Norton". Anyway, I hope it works out. I would love to see a new Norton.